Health Issues for Olympic Bid Leaders

(ATR) Andrew Young, the mayor of Atlanta who greenlighted the city’s bid for the 1996 Olympics, is in the hospital for treatment of infection and a fever.

Young, 86, became ill last weekend prior to a speaking event in Nashville. He did not make the speech and was admitted to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta May 9. His daughter says he is expected to recover fully.

Young served two terms as Atlanta Mayor following his stint in the 1980s as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President Jimmy Carter.

That UN connection helped Young open doors to Africa for the Atlanta Olympic campaign ahead of the IOC decision in 1990. Young served as co-chairman of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.

Tessa Jowell Lauded for Cancer Battle

Tessa Jowell, the British parliamentarian who led the early efforts to launch the London bid for the 2012 Olympics, is being salutedfor her strength and determination as she deals with brain cancer.

Jowell revealed her illness last September on her 70th birthday. She has glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer which is difficult to treat.

In April Jowell spoke to the parliament, calling for increased attention to the treatment of cancer. She wore a cap fitted with electrodes that is an experimental and expensive treatment for her disease. The headgear costs about $250,000 according to reports. She received a standing ovation for her remarks.

Jowell was the member of Parliament designated by then Prime Minister Tony Blair to lead the way in 2001 on a report on whether London should proceed with a bid for the 2012 Olympics. Jowell kept the Olympic portfolio until 2010 when the Tories took over the government, serving as shadow minister through the Games. She left Parliament in 2015 when she was elevated to peerage as Baroness Jowell.

Here is a link to her speech in the House of Commons from April.

Reported by Ed Hula.